My Vines - #PlayWithYourFood

These are small videos I made that are no more than 6.5 seconds, that are posted on Vine. Hope you like them. I better publish before Vine Vanishes.

I have not made one in a long time but I just loved the idea.

Here's my Vine:   https://vine.co/Logan.Jr.Chef

You can also Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Vine.

My Interview with WKNO. PBS interview in Memphis,TN

My Interview with WKNO. PBS interview in Memphis,TN

This was so much fun and my last local tv station to be on. Yes, I have even been on Library TV.






WKNO, thanks for having me.

Love the Cabbage Leaf,
Logan

You can also Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Vine.

My Chicken and Waffles Recipe

When you get invited to do a spot for the Oscars-- first thing you do it think "what do I wear" LOL
Not a problem for a Chef.... I worried what will I cook?!

This was a great fun day and I had a blast- sorry it took so long for me to write! I am trying to get back in the swing of blogging!

Sweet, Hot and Low Jazz Chicken and Waffles (Inspired by Whiplash)

Drummies

Ingredients

20 chicken Drummies part of the chicken wings

3 cups buttermilk

Salt and pepper

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 Tablespoons Franks Hot Sauce

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon Hungarian Paprika

1/2teaspoons Onion Powder

1/4 teaspoons black pepper

1/4teaspoon salt

Directions

1.    Season the drummies with salt and pepper, then drop into 2 cup buttermilk, and marinade for 2 hrs in refrigerator.

2.    After marinating, remove the drummies and pat them dry on paper towel.

3.    Dredge the Drummies in flour mixture (3 cups flour, 1/2teaspoon Hungarian Paprika, ½ teaspoons Onion Powder, 1/4teaspoons black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon salt)

4.    Make egg mixture which consists of 2 eggs, 1 cup of buttermilk, and 1 1/2 Tablespoons Franks Hot Sauce.

5.    Create flour mixture which consists of 3 cups flour, 1/2teaspoon Hungarian Paprika, ½ teaspoons Onion Powder, 1/4 teaspoons black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon salt

6.    Dredge drummies into the egg mixture and then back in the flour.

7.    Dredge the drummies again in the flour mixture. This should make a thick coat  on the drummies.

8.    Set on a rack and prepare to fry.

9.    Heat 3-4 cups of Oil (peanut) to 325 F degrees in a skillet and fry the drummies until brown.

Temperature of the meat should be 190 degrees F (roughly 10 minutes).

Jazz Honey

Ingredients

4 Tablespoons Butter

4 Tablespoons Honey

1/4 Teaspoon cayenne powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic

Directions

Melt butter in small sauce pan, add in honey and melt the two together by stirring. Then, add in the spices and continue to stir. This should be served warm. Be careful not boil the sauce.

Savory Cornmeal Waffles with Herbs

Ingredients

4 Tablespoons butter melted and let cool

1 cup cornmeal (stoneground)

1 cup flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon of sugar

2 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs

½ teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon oregano

½ teaspoon thyme

Directions

1.Heat waffle iron and spray with cooking spray before using.

2. Mix dry ingredients together in one bowl.

3. Mix wet ingredients together in another bowl.

4. Combine the two together and stir until just blended.

5. Scoop into the waffle iron and cook until brown.

6. Assemble the dish by plating the hot waffle topping with the drummies and drizzling with the spicy jazz honey sauce.

**You can decrease the heat (spiciness) with less cayenne or knock it up by adding more.

More Sous Vide By PolyScience

After making the best darned smoked chicken, it was time for the pork.

Boneless pork cutlets are notoriously dry and hard to cook perfect. The Sous Vide does the best best job (http://www.polyscienceculinary.com/).

My first boneless chop I wrapped in bacon and tucked onions under the bacon. This was vacuum sealed and put in the bath at 144.F. After 1 hour to 1 hour 30 min, the pork was cooked. I removed it from the bag and pan seared it for a perfect pork chop. The meat was so tender and the bacon browned up. It tasted really good. This was my WORST recipe, but it was pretty darn good.





I took another boneless chop and rubbed it with my own Memphis BBQ Rub and smoked it with my Smoking Gun, and then sealed into the Sous Vide. This gave an almost instant flavor of a slow cooked BBQ - so popular here in Memphis. I pan seared the meat just to give it some brown color.  My Dad loved it and he really hates this kind of meat as it is too dry. He enjoyed the pork with a simple slaw and some pickle beets. If you follow my Blog, you know my Dad is no foodie and he hates dry meat. If you do too, then the Sous Vide should be in your line up.

My last creation with the pork was to take the chop add 1/2 cup of apple butter, salt pepper, and an extra 1/2 Teaspoon of sugar to the bag,   I vacuumed sealed it and cooked it in the same round in my Sous Vide.

 This was the best. I removed it and pan seared it for a bit of color, and served with an easy potato pancake and some red cabbage. It is so good! The apple flavor goes through the meat and it is just sweet enough to be good. This chop was all mine, no sharing. 

I can tell you that it is an amazing tool for things you that usually cook dry. The perfect temperature is so great and watching it in the bath is fun too.

I am glad I have one. And I hope to share more of my Sous vide successes with you in the the future.


Love the Cabbage Leaf,
Logan

PS  Cous Cous cooks like a dream in the Sous Vide.

I Love Love Love it!

MasterChef Junior Episode 3 The Journey Continues

From behind the scenes:

By now you know I rock the bow tie. All of my ties were hand-made by my Godmother Aunt Niki. She made them in like one day when I found out I made the cast. Well, the head of wardrobe and my Mom are a bit tie challenged so it is Abby's Dad who does most of the tieing for me. We also watched this funny video from South Carolina on mornings we didn't want to bother Abby's Dad. By the way, Abby's Dad is the Best! He is so funny!

Our challenge today was Cupcakes... I don't like cake or really even sweets so this was not making me very happy. They had this huge box and everyone just grabbed the cakes I might have picked last and I got a pink cupcake. My partner was Sean. Now this was a huge vote in my favor cause Sean is a great but he is also close to my size and over all a pretty cool hipster guy. We were tied together and we had to bake cupcakes. Now, even though I don't like sweets I can nail a cupcake- my plan a mix of Meyer lemon and basil with basil sugar. I love the complex clean taste with the sugar and I love the hint of savory you can get if the balance is just right. BUT baking tied to another person, frosting is flying and Sean had big plans- for me it is always well developed flavors but for Sean it is the POW.

Well, with some bumps and kicks and screams we got our cupcakes done. Then we waited, and waited the pressure building till they called us up! Now always "EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED", but it was for the top prize. You would think that meant I thought I had a guaranteed pass into the next round, but no I was scared they would change the rules and I would be cooking for my life again!

I mean, I like the cooking part but the life part.... not so much....

Then we got the advantage- to this day I am not sure whether Sean wanted the Shepherd's Pie or I did... it just seemed like the easiest hardest thing to cook. So we chose it! I mean for me the curry would have been much harder with the threat of it could kill the judges chicken....

Our friends got to talk to their Mum cause we all met Gordon's Mum and she was super nice. I don't think it helped with the nerves for the others. It would not have helped me. I just want to turn up the gas and go for it.

It was totally a shock when Mitch and Sam got eliminated. Sam is a really funny guy. He tells jokes all the time and Mitch is a fantastic Soccer player as well as cook! I sure want him on my next soccer team I know we would win every game.

I survived... keep watching...

Love the cabbage leaf,
Logan

PS If you are wondering the best place to have Tea is in the MasterChef kitchen it was AMAZING!




Links to all my blog posts on the episodes:

Episode 7: MasterChef Junior Final Episode : I AM THE MASTERCHEF JUNIOR

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/masterchef-junior-final-episode-i-am.html

Episode 6 :  Episode 6 MasterChef Junior The Attack of The Salmon – Logan

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/episode-6-masterchef-junior-attack-of.html

Episode 5:  Episode 5 The Pop Up In MasterChef Junior

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/episode-5-pop-up-in-masterchef-junior.html

Episode 4:  MasterChef Junior Episode 4 Signature Dish

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/masterchef-junior-episode-4-signature.html

  

Episode 3:  MasterChef Junior Episode 3 The Journey Continues

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/masterchef-junior-episode-3-journey.html

Episode 2:  The MasterChef Junior Experience : Episode 2 - Pie??? Really!

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-masterchef-junior-experience.html

Episode 1:  MCJ2 I finally get into the Masterchef Kitchen

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/mcj2-i-finally-get-into-masterchef.html

Pre-Show:  The Beginning - From Memphis to Hollywood : MasterChef Junior Season 2

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-beginning-from-memphis-to-hollywood.html

Wolfgang Puck's The City Walk LA

While I was in LA I got to go to The City Walk several times and try some of the food.

My first stop was Wolfgang Puck's, he is a pretty famous chef and the restaurant looked fresh and clean. It had a fast food, sit down style mixed together. You order at the front and then they delver pretty good food. 

I love fried calamari so I ordered that and a meatloaf. The calamari was fresh, lightly fired and pretty darn good. It is the first time I have been served the tentacles which I see is a trend now. I am not too sure I like that. The little O's have a better flavor and mouth feel. 

I did not like the meatloaf and had some envy for the huge burger my Mom ordered. This time she did not give it up because she hates meatloaf so I was stuck with it! Sigh.. I mean it would have been good if it had been a bit fresher or less dense but it was not. Fortunately we had the calamari so I did not go hungry. My mom's burger looked fantastic and she ate every bit! She said it was fantastic.

So if you are wandering around the city walk try it! You might like it too. Just stay clear of the meatloaf!

Love the Cabbage Leaf

Logan Master Chef Junior contestant

Wolfgang Puck LA Bistro

The MasterChef Junior Experience : Episode 2 - Pie??? Really!

Behind the scenes - 

More wardrobe some press meetings. Production Managers and new terms like ICE and Wheels UP... this is Hollywood and there is a system to everything. But if you have ever been in a play a stage manager and Production Manger are pretty close! Since I have been in a couple of plays I was ready for them!

We started with the top three kids from the last challenge making pancakes. I know it sounds easy to make pancakes but poor Oona really did not have a chance since she could not reach the stove. Sean got into a groove and really took it to the house. He might have burned his hand. Samuel looked like he was having fun too so I decided to root for him a bit too. 

Sean made the most pancakes and when they got to climb the stairs and dump that syrup on the judges. I was really laughing. I mean how many times do you see famous chefs covered in syrup! It was a slippery sticky mess!!!! And it was so funny watching them slide around and slip.  I thought they should have used dunk tanks but I guess that would have been a lot more syrup!

Sean having won had immunity. I know he was feeling good! I would have been. We learned we had to make pie! PIE people!!! Oh, pie is the worst! the crust the creme the lumps, the pitfalls are everywhere.  I got a plan in my head to use lime and raspberry. I wanted a layer of jam on the bottom of the pie to add color and texture to the cream.  I also had some lines of fresh raspberries in there- then I realized there was no way to know where they were so I broke a piece of the crust to give me a clue. I know my pie was not too pretty but I know the flavors had a good balance and the the tart lime cream was off set by that woodsy raspberry and the sweet jam. The flavors tasted fantastic together. 

 

I was still really nervous I was going home. I mean the pie was not too pretty.

I could not have been more shocked when my friends Jessica and Natalie got sent home. I mean Jess is a really good cook and Natalie is pretty fantastic too. Jess played some games with me and we were really having fun together.  It was another crushing blow to my MCJ friends. We had a bit of a party for them and Jess wished me luck. She also gave me some food for our room which was really really nice of her. 

I survived, listening to my little chef inside really paid off and I am happy at least one of those berries made it onto a fork!

Love the cabbage 
Logan 





Links to all my blog posts on the episodes:

Episode 7: MasterChef Junior Final Episode : I AM THE MASTERCHEF JUNIOR

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/masterchef-junior-final-episode-i-am.html

Episode 6 :  Episode 6 MasterChef Junior The Attack of The Salmon – Logan

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/episode-6-masterchef-junior-attack-of.html

Episode 5:  Episode 5 The Pop Up In MasterChef Junior

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/episode-5-pop-up-in-masterchef-junior.html

Episode 4:  MasterChef Junior Episode 4 Signature Dish

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/masterchef-junior-episode-4-signature.html

  

Episode 3:  MasterChef Junior Episode 3 The Journey Continues

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/masterchef-junior-episode-3-journey.html

Episode 2:  The MasterChef Junior Experience : Episode 2 - Pie??? Really!

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-masterchef-junior-experience.html

Episode 1:  MCJ2 I finally get into the Masterchef Kitchen

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/mcj2-i-finally-get-into-masterchef.html

Pre-Show:  The Beginning - From Memphis to Hollywood : MasterChef Junior Season 2

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-beginning-from-memphis-to-hollywood.html

MCJ2 I finally get into the Masterchef Kitchen

Behind the Scenes - There is lots of stuff to do before you finally get into the Masterchef Kitchen.
There were meetings and photo shoots and wardrobe. Don't forget hair and makeup. I mean this is Hollywood after all.
We all met up and discovered that we were a room full of kid foodies and cooks and want-to-be chefs. This has never happened to me before. It felt kinda weird, cause there was not a chicken nugget eating, kool aid drinking, kid in the group. There instead we were all sushi eating  coffee and Italian soda drinking kids.

Now there are tons of things I can't tell you but a pool and kids and food should say it all.

When I went into that kitchen it was stunning! Really,cool and there was a spot for me! Logan from Memphis TN.

I LOVED IT.


THE EPISODE- IT HAS THE END! 

We had a mystery box challenge right off the bat and my juicer fell apart.  I was so nervous but  I did get it back together. My plan was to infuse the pork chop with apple juice and do maple mustard glazed carrots. It was a rush and stressful, but I put my best foot forward and got it on the plate. Then I was so sad when my food was not selected to be tasted in the top 3. Natalie and Onna and Sean make it to the top and Natalie gets chosen best dish.

Natalie had the advantage and she chose chicken for the challenge. We walk back in and there were chickens all over the kitchen! I had to catch one! Not sure how I grabbed one, but I did! Thank goodness I did not have to butcher our feather friends, maybe they were in an actor union. Either way I was happy but nervous. I mean, chicken is tough to cook and all. You could kill a judge with it- and I sure did not want to kill Chef Ramsay or have him say "Bleep" Logan its "bloody raw".

Now the Judges tried all our food and I am not sure I can tell you what I made. I they did not just pick those seven but tasted all 16 dishes. I was so nervous to have them try my food.  I can tell you all I have cooked for Gordon Ramsay Graham Elliot and Joe Bastianich!

Then came the hard part four of my friends, I mean my favorite people got called up and in a shocking moment were set home. I can't tell you what that feels like - a bit happy I was safe, but really upset for my friends Nasir, Berry Coco, and Isabella. I mean we were just starting out on a life-time friendship!

       

It was one of the lowest moments. I felt so bad.

We had a great excursion with them the next day but it just was not the same! I was really not sure I wanted to continue - it felt that bad. But that is the way this show and competition is played. It is the bad part - going home....

For me the journey continues - Join Team Logan!

Love the Cabbage Leaf,

Logan

TOP 12



Links to all my blog posts on the episodes:

Episode 7: MasterChef Junior Final Episode : I AM THE MASTERCHEF JUNIOR

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/masterchef-junior-final-episode-i-am.html

Episode 6 :  Episode 6 MasterChef Junior The Attack of The Salmon – Logan

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/episode-6-masterchef-junior-attack-of.html

Episode 5:  Episode 5 The Pop Up In MasterChef Junior

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/episode-5-pop-up-in-masterchef-junior.html

Episode 4:  MasterChef Junior Episode 4 Signature Dish

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/masterchef-junior-episode-4-signature.html

  

Episode 3:  MasterChef Junior Episode 3 The Journey Continues

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/masterchef-junior-episode-3-journey.html

Episode 2:  The MasterChef Junior Experience : Episode 2 - Pie??? Really!

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-masterchef-junior-experience.html

Episode 1:  MCJ2 I finally get into the Masterchef Kitchen

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/mcj2-i-finally-get-into-masterchef.html

Pre-Show:  The Beginning - From Memphis to Hollywood : MasterChef Junior Season 2

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-beginning-from-memphis-to-hollywood.html